Automatic positioner for hold-down means

ABSTRACT

APPARTUS FOR PRODUCING A FOLDED TUBULAR BOX FROM A BOX BLANK IS PROVIDED WITH POWER DRIVEN MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FOLDING ELEMENTS TO OPERATE ON DIFFERENT SIZE BOX PANELS. AS THE TUBULAR BOXES ARE PRODUCED, THEY ARE UNDERFED INTO A STACK AND PERIODICALLY A PILE OF BOXES AT THE TOP OF THE STACK IS REMOVED. WHILE THE BOXES ARE IN THE STACK, A HOLD-DOWN MEANS PROVIDES A DOWNWARD FORCE ON THE GLUE JOINT REGION CONNECTING THE INWARDLY FOLDED PANELS OF THE BOX. A DIFFERNTIAL GEARING UNIT INTERCONNECTS THE HOLD-DOWN MEANS WITH THE POWER DRIVEN MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FOLDING SECTIONS SO THAT AS THE APPARTUS IS ADJUSTED FOR DIFFERENT SIZE BOXES, THE HOLDDOWN MEANS IS AUTOMATICALLY POSITIONED TO APLLY A DOWNWARD PRESSURE AT THE JOINT REGION.

Nov. 9, 1971 A. F. SHIELDS AUTOMATIC POSITIONER FOR HOLD-DOWN MEANS 2 Shoots-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1970 Nov. 9, 1971 A. F. SHIELDS AUTOMATIC POSITIONER FOR HOLD- Filed April a, 1970 nowN MEANS 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 United States Patent O "ice 3,618,479 AUTOMATIC POSITIONER FOR HOLD-DOWN MEANS Albert F. Shields, Forest Hills, N.Y., assignor to S & S Corrugated Paper Machinery Co. Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Apr. 8, 1970, Ser. No. 26,621 Int. Cl. B31b 1/58, 1/98, 3/60 U.S. Cl. 93-36.3 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Y, Apparatus for producing a folded tubular box from a box blank is provided with power driven means for adjusting the folding elements to operate on different size box panels. As the tubular boxes are produced, they are underfed into a stack and periodically a pile of boxes at the top of the stack is removed. While the boxes are in the stack, a hold-down means provides a downward force on the glue joint region connecting the inwardly folded panels of the box. A differential gearing unit interconnects the hold-down means with the power driven means for 'adjusting the folding sections so that as the apparatus is adjusted for different size boxes, the holddown means is automatically positioned to apply a downward pressure at the joint region.

This invention relates to box making apparatus in general, and in particular relates to means for automatically positioning a hold-down means over the joint region o-f a folded tubular box as the apparatus is adjusted for different size boxes.

In my U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,189 issued May 2, 1961 for a Power Driven Adjusting Means For Slotting, Scoring, Creasing, and Slitting Machine, there is disclosed box making apparatus which transforms box blanks into folded tubular boxes and delivers these boxes in piles containing a predetermined number of boxes. The transformation from box blank to folded tubular box requires that outboard panels of the blank -be inwardly folded to positions where the outboard or free edges of the blank are positioned at a joint region where they are connected by taping or by direct gluing.

In order to be able to produce different size boxes the panel folding sections are laterally adjustable by power driven means. ln the stacking and delivery section, there is a holddown means which must be maintained in position to apply a downward pressure against the box at the joint region thereof. Since the folded panels are usually of different widths the position of the joint region changes for different size boxes. Thus, positioning of the folding sections requires repositioning of the hold-down means.

When the operator is adjusting the folding sections, he is located at a position very remote from the hold-down means which is located in the stacking and delivery section. At this time the operators view of the hold-down means is usually obscured and/or the operators concentration on adjusting the folding sections causes him to temporarily forget the existence of the hold-down means. Due to the foregoing circumstances, it often happens that the power driven movable frame, carrying a folding section, engages and thereby damages the holddown means. Even when the hold-down means is not 3,618,479 Patented Nov. 9, 1971 damaged, the operator must go to the opposite end of the apparatus and reposition the hold-down means.-

To eliminate this problem and effort, the `device of the instant invention includes a differential, gearing unit which provides driving mechanical connections between the hold-down means and the folding sections so` that as the folding sections are adjusted the position of the holddown means is automatically adjusted so that it ywill not be damaged by the moving frame sections and the h old-` down means remains in the proper position toexert downward forces at the joints of the folded tubular boxes. j n

Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide automatic means for positioning the hold down means of a stacking and delivery section at the feed-out end of box making apparatus.

Another object is to provide means interconnecting the hold-down means with the folding sections so that the position of the hold-down means is automatically adjusted as the positions of the folding sections are adjusted.

Still another object is to provide a differential gearing unit which drivingly interconnects power adjusted folding sections to automatically power adjust the hold-down means.

These objects as well as other objects of this invention will become readily apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of Ibox making apparatus constructed in accordance with teachings of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the changes in the condition of the entering blank as various operations are performed thereon until such blank emerges as a folded tubular box.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the cutting section, gluing section, folding section, and stacking and delivery sections of the automatic apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partially sectioned, of the differential gearing unit constituting a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. t1 and 3.

Now referring to the figures, automatic box making machine 10 comprises feed-in section 11 adapted to feed individual sheets S of cardboard or corrugated board, merely having transverse score lines 80, l81 thereon, from stack 99 into cutting section 100. A first group of laterally aligned cutting heads of cutting section simultaneously applies longitudinal score lines'82-84 and crushes areas 8'5, 86 of sheet Si. Thereafter, a second group of laterally aligned cutting heads of cutting section 100 slots sheet S at 94-97 and trims `at V88 to form box blank B. For details of the heads in cutting section 100 and the head adjusting means, reference is made to my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,189.

Box blank B passes from cutting section 100` to gluingfolding section 300 where glue is `applied to crushed lap 89 and panels 90', 91 are folded over with crushed area 86 overlying glued lap 89, thereby forming a folded tubular -box T. 'Folded tubular box T then enters stacking section 400 to become the bottom box T of stack 92 from which pusher 4011 removes pile 93 containing a predetermined number of folded tubular boxes T. In stacking section 400, hold-down means 450 thereof applies a downward force on the top of stack 92 at the joint region where lap 89 overlies panel 91. For details of hold-down means 450, reference is made to my copending U.S. application Ser. No. 779,459, filed Nov. 27, 1968, for a Blank Stacking, Straightening, and Delivery Means.

Feed-in section 11 comprises bed 12, whereon stack 99 of sheets S is placed between the rear 13 and front 14 gauges. The bottom blank in stack 99 is fed towards the right, by reciprocating feed slat 15, through space 16 below the front gauge 14. Space 16 is so adjusted that it is just high enough to permit one of the sheets S to pass through while holding back the remainder of stack 99.

As sheet S passes through opening 16, sheet S passes between upper and lower feed rollers 17 and 18, respectively, which engage sheet S and drive it forward into cutting section 100 where sheet S is transformed into box blank B.

Cutting section 100 comprises a stationary frame members 101, 10.2 between which the cutting heads are positioned. Reference to a cutting head in this specication is intended to designate a head which performs any one of the operations necessary to transform sheet S into box blank B. That is, a cutting head may score, trim, slit, slot and/ or crush.

Support rods 103-106 extend transversely across the feed path of sheet S and are secured at the ends thereof to frame stationary members 101, 102. Carriers 107-110 are slidably mounted on support rods 103-106. Each carrier comprises an upper and a lower part with the upper part being supported by rods 103, 104 and the lower part being supported by rods 105, 106. Two sets of cutting heads keyed to drive shafts 121-124 are connected to each of the carriers 107-110 so as to be laterally adjusted therewith.

Movement of the upper parts of carriers 107-109 is achieved by rotating lead screws 132-134 which mate with threaded members (not shown) secured to carriers 107-109. Similarly, lateral movement of the lower parts of carrier 107-110 and their associated cutting heads is achieved by means of lead screws 143-146, respectively, mating with appropriately threaded members secured to the respective carriers 107-110. The lateral adjustment of the upper and lower parts of each carrier occurs simultaneously and to the same degree to assure proper alignment between the cutting blades, quite often segmental blades, and their mating member for each set of cutting heads.

Box blank B is ejected from cutting section 100 and engaged by moving conveyor belts 301, 302 beneath sets of rollers 304-307. Glue stored in drum 308 is fed through tube 309 to glue applying means 310 where gluing roller 311 applies glue to ap 89 as it is backed up by roller 31.2. Thereafter, blank B is engaged by moving folding belts 313, 314, which gradually fold outboard panels 90, 91 of blank B along score lines 97 and 95, respectively, until crushed area 86 is in contact with glued flap 89. Roller sets 304 and 305 assist folding belts 313, 314 as they initially engage blank B, to produce the folds along score lines 97 and 95.

Roller sets 304, 306 are mounted to member 315 which depends from an upper longitudinal frame member (not shown) secured at one end of the upper part of carrier 108, thereby moving laterally therewith. Similarly roller sets 305, 307 are mounted to another longitudinal frame member (not shown) which in turn is secured at one end the upper part of carrier 109 to move laterally in unison therewith. Adjustable struts (not shown), similar to extensions 398, 399, secure member 316 to upper longitudinal frame member 326. Lower longitudinal frame members 317, 318 are secured to the lower parts of carriers 108, 109, respectively, to move laterally in unison therewith.

Idler rolls 319, to guide conveyor belt 301, as well as drive roll 320, are mounted on frame member 317. Similarly, idler rolls 322, which guide belt 302, as well as roll 321 for driving belts 302 are mounted on frame 318. Drive rolls 320, 321 are also keyed to drive shaft 350 for rotation therewith, but are movable axially with respect thereto.

4 Stationary frame members 352, 353 support drive shaft 350 at the ends thereof.

Folding belts 313, 314 are twisted and extend between driving rolls 327, 328 and idler rolls 329, 330, which are mounted to lower frame members 317, 318, respectively. Folding belts 313, 314 also follow a path defined by conical idlers 331, 332, respectively, which are mounted to lower frame members 317, 318. Drive rollers 327, 328 are keyed to drive shaft 351 for rotation therewith, but are movable axially with respect thereto. Stationary frame members 352, 353 support drive shaft 351 at the ends thereof. Straightening rolls 333, secured to lower frame members 317, 318, serve to bring the fold lines into parallelism so that a perfect box will be formed from the folded tubular box T.

The folded tubular box T is passed from gluing, folding section 300 to stacking section 400 where folded box T is received by conveyor 404 and passed between vertically moving belts 402, 403 which convey folded box T upward to the underside of stack 92. Pusher 401, secured to assembly 405 traveling on overhead chains 406, 407, periodically removes pile 93, having a predetermined number of folded tubular boxes T, from the top of stack 92 and passes pile 93 to a conveyor for bundling.

Stack 92 is subjected to a downward force by hold-down means 450, which applies such force at the joint region where ap 89 of panel 90 is glued to crushed section 86 of panel 91. Briefly, hold down means 450 concludes lower section 451 pivotally connected to support plate 452 by parallel arms 453, 454. The upper section includes elongated metal slat 455, hinged at its rear end to support 452 and carrying roller 456 at a location forward of support plate 45.2. The latter is xedly secured to the lower surface of support block 457, which is slidably mounted on stabilizing rod 458 and in threaded engagement with lead screw part 459 of adjusting shaft 460. Both rod 458 and shaft 460 extend between stationary frame members 352 and 353.

Drive motor 40 is operatively connected to main drive shaft 41 which extends from one set of stationary frame members 101, 102 to the other set 352, 353. Through appropriate gearing and chain connections, well known in the art, driving power necessary to convey blanks B through automatic machinery 10 is supplied to the various sections thereof 11, 100, 300, 400 so that the blanks B move therethrough with a continuous movement. Each carrier 107-110 is power driven for lateral adjustment of its associated cutting heads, by means of an individual motor selectively controllable from a control panel located in the region of feed-in section 11. For purposes of explaining the instant invention, the adjustment of movable frame members 107, 110 need not, and will not, be described.

Motors 502, 503 for adjusting movable frame members 108, 109 are mounted in an elevated position on top of tower 520. Sprocket wheels 521 and 522 are both keyed to motor shaft 523 while sprocket wheels 524 and 525 are both keyed to motor shaft 526. Chain 530 is driven by sprocket wheel 521 and in turn drives sprocket wheel 531 which is keyed to shaft 532 secured to stationary support member 101. Sprocket wheel 533 is also keyed to shaft 532 and drives chain 534. Chain 534 is in engagement with sprocket wheels `535, 536 which are keyed to lead screws 133, 144, respectively. It is now apparent that rotation of motor 502 will cause rotation of lead screws 133, 144 which in turn will bring about equal lateral movements of the upper and lower parts of carrier 108. The longitudinal frame members secured at their left ends to carrier 108 will automatically receive the proper lateral adjustment at their left ends.

However, these longitudinal frame members are very long so that lateral movement of one end thereof will not necessarily be accompanied by an equal lateral movement of the other end. Therefore, chain 540 extends to the right and is driven by sprocket wheel 522. `Chain 540 in turn asians) engages and drives sprocket wheel 541 which is keyed to shaft 542 mounted on stationary frame member 352. Sprocket wheel 543 is also keyed to shaft 542 and drives chain 544 which in turn drives sprocket wheelsf545, 546 (FIG. 1). Sprocket wheels 545, 546 are Ikeyed to lead screws 596, 597 thatA are in driving engagement with upper and lower longitudinal frame members extending from carrier i108. Shafts 392-395, supported at their ends by stationary members 352, 353, support and journal the movement of the right ends of these longitudinal frame members. In this manner equal lateral movements of these upper and lower longitudinal frame members, as well as equal lateral movements of both ends thereof, is assured.

Similarly sprocket wheel 525 drives chain 550 which engages sprocket wheel 551 keyed to shaft 552 near one end thereof. The ends of shaft 552 are 'journalled in stationary frame members 1011, 102 while sprocket wheel 553 is keyed to shaft 552 near the other end thereof. Chain 554 is driven by sprocket wheel 553 and in turn drives sprocket wheels 554, 555 which are keyed to lead screws 13S, 145, respectively. Rotation of motor 503 causes movement of chain 550 which in turn causes rotation of shaft 552, movement of chains 554, rotation of sprocket wheels 554,555, rotation of lead screws 134, 145y and finally equal lateral movements of the upper and lower parts of carrier 109 and its associated cutting heads.

Since carrier parts 109 carry another set of upper and lower longitudinal frame members, they too will be laterally adjusted at one of their ends. The other ends of these longitudinal frame members are positively moved by means of chain 560 which is driven by sprocket Wheel 524. Chain 560 drives sprocket wheel 561, which is keyed to shaft 562 whose ends are journalled in stationary support members 352, 353.

Sprocket wheel 563 is also keyed to shaft 562 and drives chain 564 which in turn drives sprockets 565, 566 keyed to lead screws 567, I568, respectively. Lead screws 567, 568 are operatively engaged (not shown) with upper 326 and lower 318 longitudinal frame members, respectively, for lateral adjustment of the right ends thereof journalled on shafts 592-595.

Shaft 460 for the transverse adjustment of hold-down means 450 is rotated by being connected to the output of differential gear unit 475, whose inputs are driven by shafts 542 and -562 which adjust the transverse positions of the longitudinal frame members carrying folding belts 313, 314, respectively. In particular, sprocket l461, keyed to shaft `460, is driven by sprocket 462 through chain 463, and sprocket 462 is keyed to one end f output shaft 464 of differential gear unit 475. The other end of shaft 464 is connected at right-angles to and at the center of stub shaft 465 having bevel gears 466, 467, freely mounted at opposite ends thereof. Shaft 464 extends axially through one input shaft 476.

Input bevel gear 468, in mesh with gears 466, 467, is keyed to one end of the other input shaft 469, having sprocket 470 'keyed to the other end thereof. Continuous chain 471 drivingly connects sprocket 470 with sprocket 472, the latter being keyed to adjusting shaft 562. Bevel gear 474, in mesh with gears 466 and 467, is keyed to input shaft 476 at one end thereof. Sprocket 477, keyed to input shaft 476 at the other end thereof, is connected through chain 478 to sprocket 479, keyed to adjusting shaft 542.

Sprockets 462, I470, and 477 are disposed outside of gear unit housing 481, while bevel gears 466, 467, 468 and 474 are disposed within housing 481. Means (not shown) secures housing 4&1 in fixed position relative to stationary frame members 352, 353i.

As will hereinafter be seen, the rotation of folding belt adjusting shafts 542, l562 is effective to automatically operatively position hold-down means 450 so that it always exerts a downward force in the joint region Where glued lap 89 engages panel 91. That is, panels 91 and 911 are of equal widths and panels 90 and 90 are of equal widths. The width of narrow panel is indicated as being equal to N in the righthandmost illustration of FIG. 2, while the width of Wide panel i91 is illustrated as being equal to W. Joint region 89 is illustrated as being spaced by a distance C from fixed longitudinally extending reference line 98 on which score line 83 always lies. Thus, the distance Cequals the difference between the width of panels 90 and 91.

The position of folding belt 313 with respect to reference line 98 is dictated by the position of score line 84, which in turn is dicated by the width N of narrower panel 90. Similarly, the position of the other folding belt 314 is dictated by the position of score line 82, which 'turn is controlled by the width W of the larger panel Rotation of shaft 542 to adjust the position of folding belt 313 drives input gear 474 of differential 475, which in turn drives output gears 466, 467 and imparts rotation to lead screw 459 on shaft 460, thereby changing the transverse position of hold-down means 450. Similarly, rotation of shaft 562 to adjust the position of the other folding belt 314 rotates input gear 468 of differential 475 causing additional rotation of output gears 466, 467 to additionally rotate lead screw l459. The net rotation of hold-down means adjusting shaft 460 is related to the difference in the rotation of folding belt adjusting shaft 542 and 562 so that the distance between hold-down means 540 and reference line 98 always coincides with the difference between the width of the wider and narrower panels. It is noted that the diameter of sprocket 4162 is made double the diameter of sprocket 470, 477 in order to compensate for the fact that output sprocket 462 makes one half revolution for each revolution of input sprocket 470 or 477.

It should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that bevel gear type differential unit 475 may be replaced by other types of differential units, such as spur gear and chain types, or may be replaced by any other device in which output motion is a function of the motions of a plurality of input motions.

Although there has been described preferred embodiments of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited not by the specific disclosure herein but only by the appending claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In box making apparatus the combination comprising a first section for transforming box blanks into folded tubular boxes and a second section for forming boxes received from said first section into a stack and periodically removing piles of boxes from the stack; said first section including conveyor means for moving blanks and folded tubular boxes along a feed path extending parallel to a reference line; said first section also including first and second folding portions on opposite sides of said reference line for inwardly folding respective first and second outboard panels of box blanks along first and second score lines thereof to positions where the outboard edges of said blank are in juxtaposition at a joint area; said first and second score lines being parallel to said reference line and being spaced therefrom by first and second distances, respectively; said second section including a hold-down means for applying downward pressure to the stack at the joint region; first and second adjusting means for positioning the respective first and second folding portions transversely in relation to said reference line in accordance with the respective first and second distances; and automatic means producing an output from first and second inputs for moving said hold-down means transverse to said reference line maintaining said hold-down means at the joint region; said first and second inputs being fed by the respective first and second adjusting means whereby said hold-down means is automatically positioned at said joint area as said joint area shifts with changes in said first and second distances.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, in which the joint area is spaced from said reference line by a third distance equal to said first distance minus said second distance.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, in which the first distance is larger than said second distance and the joint area is between said reference line and said first score line.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, in which the automatic means includes a differential gearing unit; said holddown means 'being connected through said differential gearing unit to said first and second folding portions whereby adjusting movements of said hold-down means are coordinated with adjusting movements of said rst and second folding portions.

References Cited 8 3,243,033 3/1966 Merchant 93-93 DP 3,264,954 8/1966 Grobman 93-94 PX 3,490,198 1/1970 Beckman 93-49 AC 3,517,482 6/1970 Beninger 93-363 X 3,550,349 12/1970 Kerker 93-93 DP 3,557,688 1/1971 Hartbauer 93-93 DP FOREIGN PATENTS 593,866 10/1947 Great Britain 93-363 877,342 9/1961 Great Britain 93-36.3

891,356 3/1962 Great Britain 93-363 WAYNE A. MORSE, JR., Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

53-124 D; 93--49 R, 93 DP, 94 PX 

